Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.The sisters become separated from their father and make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of … of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend was murdered on the night of the fire. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.
more
If you love Francine Rivers, you’ll love Jocelyn Green!
Jocelyn did it again! Veiled in Smoke was another fantastic read, well researched, with compelling characters and storyline. Meg’s, Sylvie’s and Stephen’s personalities shine from page one, but as in real life, they grow, change and mature over the course of the book. Jocelyn tackles the difficult topic of PTSD in war veterans realistically and compassionately. She also incorporates a murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end!
One of my favorite things about Jocelyn’s books is she never shies away from the uglier aspects of the worlds her stories are set in. A mere fifty pages into the novel, the Great Chicago Fire has already begun, and through her descriptions, I could feel the heat on my skin, the sparks landing on my clothing and the wind whipping the flames into a frenzy. The panic of the characters is also vividly portrayed, as well as their desperation to save the people and items most precious to them. I’m still in shock Meg braved the flames of their apartment to retrieve the copy of Little Women with her mother’s notes and father’s army photo.
While romance is present in Veiled in Smoke, it’s secondary to the main action of the story. I so appreciate this aspect of Jocelyn’s writing. While I enjoy a good romance as much as the next person, I’d grown weary of the hundreds of Christian romances gracing the shelves of libraries and bookstores. As in life, romance is one part of the story, and I love getting a fuller view of the characters and world. That said, the relationships between Nate and Meg & Sylvie and Jasper are so sweet, develop so realistically and add much to the story.
Jocelyn left just enough loose threads at the end of Veiled in Smoke that I’m already looking forward to the second installment of The Windy City Saga.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy. All opinions are my own.
As a reader who enjoys historical fiction, this book hits the mark, and then some.
We are there for the great Chicago fire, and we learn facts about the survivors of both the fire and the Civil War, and also learn some previously held thoughts were not true.
Although this story is fiction, wow, it really could all be true and we meet those who were involved.
This story has a little for everyone, of course with the fire, we are shown survival, a bit of romance, perseverance. We learn facts about the building codes, I didn’t know about the bricks before, and all those luxuries we take for granted.
This is a story of survival, and we are shown folks that will do just about anything for just stay alive, that includes murder. I was quickly immersed in this book, and loved how they loved the Lord, and forgiveness rings true here!
You don’t want to miss this one!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
Veiled in Smoke is the first book in Jocelyn Green’s new series, The Windy City Saga. Having read a couple of other stories from this author, I was excited to read this new book, and I was not disappointed. Green does an extraordinary job with the historical details about the 1871 Great Fire that blazed through Chicago. Emotions and reactions to the devastation are realistically portrayed through the characters as they write or paint about, or stressfully relive the horror. The book is rich in period details and historical flavor and is filled with well-rounded, vivid characters. Characters who are believable as all their flaws and foibles are portrayed, along with their strengths and humanity. The heartbreaking and poignant subjects of PTSD, or soldier’s heart, as it was labeled in the late 19th century, and the care of the mentally ill are described with finesse and expertise. I enjoyed learning more about the Civil War and the management of prisoners, especially the policy of ‘Galvanized Yankees.’ The author has also included several pages of interesting and informational notes at the end of the story. One quote from the book, “We will thank God as soon as we can.” resonated well with me. Sometimes in the middle of chaos, it is hard to give thanks but there is a hope present that we will be able to see beyond the pain and see His goodness. Veiled in Smoke is a complex and multifaceted story that reminds readers that God is in the business of restoration and that He uses broken people and situations to bring about healing and growth. With vivid characters, an action-packed storyline, strong spiritual truths, a climactic murder mystery, and a sweet romance, the author has penned an amazing story. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will not want to miss Veiled in Smoke. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
Hanging on every word is how I found myself reading this book. The characters are each amazing with their talents and contribution to making this story great. I found myself on a roller coaster ride with all the twist and turns. I loved learning about the great Chicago fire along with the great rebuilding. The fear and sadness that had to follow is just so hard to wrap your mind around. So many families lost love ones and everything they had. Meg and Sylvie are much stronger than they ever knew trying to hold on to God after everything has been stripped from them. A father trying to hang on after being charged with the murder of his dear friend, the demons of war that leave his mind confused. A possible budding romance, and dangers of truth all leads to a time of uncertainty in a family who has already lost so much. A magnificent plot that kept me reading late into the night. Emotions will be pulled from the reader in this heart twisting tale that will have you holding your breath and smiling at the pages before you. Jocelyn Green has a way of taking you to the depths of her stories to bring you out feeling as if you have been through the journey yourself!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
A truly enjoyable, endearing and inspiring story of faith, perseverance, family and overcoming life’s obstacles!
I thoroughly enjoyed author Jocelyn Green’s beautiful retelling of the disastrous, life changing Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Veiled in Smoke is a tender, heartwarming historical fiction novel so with a touch of mystery and romance!
Sisters, Meg and Sylvie Townsend, must not only overcome tremendous loss following the historic event of the Great Fire, but also fight for their very broken father who is accused of murder and sent away to an asylum. Readers will feel encouraged as these two sisters work together to rebuild their lives, their relationship as sisters and their relationship with their father. Meanwhile, their father Stephen, a veteran suffering from soldier’s heart (modern day PTSD), begins his own journey of faith as he allows God to begin working in his heart and mind, overcoming his brokenness and empty spirit. As God begins to fill the broken places in these character’s lives, readers see the rebuilding of family and moral. Jocelyn Green masterfully weaves a story rich in history and inspiration with a subtle underlying mystery and a sweet, budding romance that frames this story and keeps readers excitedly turning the next page!
I highly recommend this story to readers who particularly enjoy American historical fiction and subtle romances. I feel this book is appropriate for teenage readers. It is well written, clean and inspirational. In addition, the book is well researched, historically accurate and entertaining.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and author Jocelyn Green in exchange for promotion and review. All thoughts below are my own, I was not required to post a positive review.
History! Jocelyn Green has once again thoroughly researched her setting! Meg and Sylvie Townsend are wonderful protagonists as they attempt to care for their home, their widower veteran father and the family bookshop following the War Between the States. Their father, Stephen Townsend, spent time in Anderson prison and believes the war is still going on. When the Great Chicago Fire destroys their home and bookshop, life changes for everyone! You will feel compassion for all of the Townsend family but especially when Stephen is charged with murder and placed in an asylum. I recommend Veiled in Smoke to anyone who enjoys American historical fiction. Ms. Green’s descriptions will make you feel like you were in Chicago during the Great Fire. I received an advance copy of Veiled in Smoke from the publisher. This is my honest opinion.
Jocelyn Green’s Veiled in Smoke is full of historical detail, rich imagery, and engaging characters. From the beginning of the novel, Green creates empathy for Meg and her struggle to cling to what remains of her family. Her sister Sylvie is not only a practical foil to Meg’s emotional journey but another view of the wounds the Civil War wrought on American families.
This post-Civil War drama reaches past the tensions between North and South, Confederate and Yankee. Instead, Veiled in Smoke focuses on the mental toil soldiers faced in the aftermath of war. By exploring the war that continued at home, Green’s novel can touch a chord with many readers whose loved ones suffer with PTSD.
Patriarch Stephen’s experience with this misunderstood condition is juxtaposed with Sylvie’s response to the horrific Great Fire that ravaged much of Chicago. Sylvie is thrust on an emotional journey to better understand her father. And through this, the reader gets a better understanding of the different forms PTSD can take. There is much discussion on what constitutes insanity. Stephen’s experience in the asylum is a bit disheartening. But mostly because it leaves the reader questioning their own understanding of PTSD and other mental illnesses.
The fire scenes are gripping and pull you into the tragedy. But for me, the most compelling part of the novel was the aftermath. Sylvie’s grit. Meg’s unflinching support. Nate’s search for the truth. Stephen’s war with the ghosts of his past. Their stories entwine to show that Southerners weren’t the only ones trying to rebuild after the war.
And although Meg can come off as a bit naive, it’s hard not to root for her to help her father. Sylvie’s angst can come off as a bit hardhearted, but her hurt comes through in her strained relationship with her sister. Their relationship provided the most compelling arc, in my opinion. But the romance is just as engaging.
As heroes go, Nate is one you can root for and swoon over. From the moment he walked onto the page, I loved him and wanted to know more about him. His devotion to his step-siblings not only provides an interesting arc but also fleshes his character out better than paragraphs of description.
Overall, Veiled in Smoke is a well-written tale of a family’s struggle to adapt in post-Civil War Chicago, showing that a family tested by fire can either break or come out stronger.
Note: I received a complimentary review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things that I most enjoyed about Jocelyn Green’s writing is the way in which she seamlessly weaves interesting historical facts into an engaging plot. I appreciated this well researched book which put the Great Chicago Fire and the aftermath in context. The realistic and flawed characters were refreshing, as they struggled with more than just the fire. The characters portrayed ordinary people who had to keep going despite devastating loss. As friendships and family relationships are tested, deeper lessons are learned and healing begins. Every reference to literature, simply added to my enjoyment. Rich with history, this novel is a must read. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
“I’m not afraid of storms, for the One who made the sea is in the boat with me.”
With a setting in Chicago in 1871 during the time of the Great Fire, Jocelyn Green once again makes history come alive with Veiled in Smoke, a story of great loss and tragedy along with hope, reconstruction, and growth. Having lost almost everything they owned in the fire, Meg and Sylvie and their father Stephen Townsend must rebuild their lives both physically and emotionally. The author deals compassionately, but realistically, with Stephen’s PTSD/Soldier’s Heart disabilities from fighting in the Civil War and his captivity and deprivation afterward, and the struggles his family has while trying to help him.
Green’s richly detailed descriptions and obvious deep research enhance the story greatly. Her colorful and complex characters come alive on the page with all their strengths and brokenness. I especially loved Meg’s strength in fighting through her physical limitations after the fire and her devotion to helping her family. Nate Pierce’s compassion and tender help to Meg’s family is very touching.
“We can never be who we once were, because we keep changing and growing. We’re not defined by our hurts, but by God’s grace we can overcome them.”
If you’re looking for a story rich in history, suspense, emotion, and inspiration with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure, you’ll enjoy this beautifully written tale. Threads of courage, hope, faith, compassion, and love of family are deftly and seamlessly woven throughout the pages. This book is bound for my keeper shelf while I try to wait patiently for the next in The Windy City Saga series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and Bethany House. All opinions are my own.
“It was a lie, Meg had realized years ago, that the end of the war meant the end of suffering.” The Civil War is over, and the boys and men who survived are home. Yet Meg and her sister, Sylvie Townsend, discover that Stephen Townsend’s time in notorious Andersonville has wreaked havoc with his grip on reality. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Pierce of the Chicago Tribune interviews Stephen as a veteran. Life becomes murky when the city catches fire and Stephen’s best friend is murdered, leaving Stephen the cops’ main suspect.
Jocelyn Green is an expert at creating historically accurate and intriguing backgrounds while painting in-depth portraits of her characters. Both Meg and Sylvie exhibit intense loyalty and love for their parents, as well as a great need for their approval. Unfortunately, their understanding of their parents’ love and care is limited by the blinders they wear.
The young ladies also wear blinders when it comes to the young men in their lives. They cannot truly see the love, honesty, and true character(or lack thereof) of their beaux.
So many ideas and themes are presented. Forgiveness. The idea that it’s ok to be imperfect, and in fact, sometimes imperfect is better. Also, accepting life as it is, imperfect, not expecting it to be rosy or requiring others to be perfectly well or perfectly behaved all the time. (Ouch! Preaching to myself!!) True compassion. Sometimes we can’t achieve this until we’ve walked a mile in somebody else’s shoes, or at least had a bit of hardship in life. Faith, believing God is limitless and truly in control.
Two more thoughts. It was hard to breathe as I traveled with Meg and Sylvie and Nate as they desperately tried to outrun the Great Fire. I could smell the smoke, my lungs felt full to bursting, and my anxiety level was high. And then many somethings began falling from the sky!
I had never heard of the term, “soldier’s heart.” How fitting. How sad. So many times, we, the civilians for whom those men and now women sacrificed, refuse to understand and accept with open arms our vets who return to us.
As usual, Jocelyn Green will have me thinking for a long time to come about people and their treatment of others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. No positive response was required. All opinions are my own.
Veiled in Smoke is by far Green’s best work yet! This novel depicting the Townsend family during Chicago’s Great Fire and the early rebuilding of the city is impressive! If you enjoy the works of Lynn Austin and Kristin Hannah you’ll love this novel!
I found the characters to be true to life and personalities are detailed in depth. Their life challenges are believable and include circumstances that are well described and realistic. This is history related through fiction. The author researched her topics to the point of bringing the past to the present in a very impassioned manner. Details from the prison camps of the Civil War and the affect they left with survivors are disturbing. What was considered insanity at that time is now looked upon as a condition resulting from great trauma. PTSD is a new and more appropriate description.
Relationships throughout this novel are poignant and natural. How family members relate to one another is a strong point in this heart wrenching and revealing story. Romance enters the picture as young people reach out to one another in a very difficult time. My heart ached as I read how this inferno destroyed everything in its path, and interesting information was shared regarding the rebuilding of the city. The compassion shared with neighbors affected by great tragedy is so encouraging. Our misfortunes many times bring out the best in people as described here.
For a more detailed description of Veiled in Smoke, please read the description above which I won’t repeat in this review. I must repeat that this book is an impressive and detailed portrayal of a historic event through fictional characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. I will be reading it again!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.
Jocelyn Green writes another great book! I really enjoyed “Veiled in Smoke” (The Windy City Saga, #1) An intense and emotional story set during the Great Chicago Fire. About a family enduring disasters in their personal lives and relationships, unemployment and accusations of murder/insanity. The relationships between the sisters, Meg and Sylvie and their father, Stephen can be challenging. Each one handling their situations in totally different ways. There are great supporting characters too. Nate the reporter and Jasper the great-nephew.
This book is well researched with descriptive writing making you feel as though you are in the midst of old Chicago. There are a few scenes that are disturbing but very real. This book is well worth reading and I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for the next book is this saga.
I received a copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.
In the background of the Great Chicago fire, this is a story about redemption, grace, and renewal. I found myself drawn to all the main characters: a Civil War veteran inadequately and even cruelly treated for PTSD (or, in the vernacular of the days, “soldier’s heart”), an “old maid” who hides in her art but finds her hands horrifically burned, a young reporter who has set aside his own aspirations in order to responsibly care for younger siblings. Even the minor characters are beautifully drawn, such as the street urchins who unwittingly wreak havoc with other character’s lives. Epic and moving, this book is immensely satisfying.
Perhaps my favorite quote from the novel: “We are not defined by our hurts, but by God’s grace we can overcome them. We are transformed.”
I was totally captivated by Jocelyn Green’s fictional account of Chicago’s Great Fire. Through her skillful pen, Ms. Green’s lyrical prose transported me to the fire. I could hear the bells ring of alarm, feel the heat and hear the crackling of the fire, see the colors of destruction, the birds falling out of the sky as the masses fled. Her historical research is top-notch, not only of her account of the fire, but of the plight of the many soldiers who still suffered physically, mentally and spiritually years after the end of the Civil War.
Her pen brought to life a brilliant cast of characters in Stephen Townsend and his daughters, Meg and Sylvie. Their separate journeys to find healing for the various wounds and scars they hid tugged at my heart. One of my favorite quotes in this story of hope rising from destruction is:
” We’re not defined by our hurts, but by God’s grace we can overcome them. We are transformed.”
This is a book for the keeper shelf. I am looking forward to reading more in the Windy City Saga. This reader appreciates the faith thread of hope and resilience that can be found when one relies upon God.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Oh, my heart! There were so many aspects of this story that I adored. I was thoroughly impressed with Green’s attention to historical detail and her ability to make me feel as if I were living through the Great Chicago Fire myself. I also applaud her in her tender, yet honest handling of PTSD (“soldier’s heart”) in Civil War soldiers.
The beginning was a little slow for me, making this fall just short of a 5-star rating. However, I was completely invested in the second half of the book and couldn’t put it down. Fans of historical fiction will LOVE this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel via NetGalley and courtesy of the publisher. All expressed opinions are my own.
“We will thank God as soon as we can.”
Devastated barely begins to describe Meg and Sylvie Townsend’s demeanor after losing virtually everything but their lives following the Great Fire that swept through the streets of Chicago like a demonic locomotive in the fall of 1871. Their home and their business gone. Their battle fatigued and mentally fragile father lost in the masses.
Finding respite in the home of a family friend, the disappointments continue to multiply when they discover that their father has been accused of murder and subsequently commited to the Cook County Insane Asylum. Being the oldest, Meg bears the weight of responsibility; determining to paste the fragments of her familiy back together, while struggling to accept life with new physical infirmaties of her own. Adamant about her father’s innocence, she is less certain about the damage to his mind being reparable; the scars attributed to his Andersonville imprisonment run deep. Leaning on a Chicago Tribune reporter for advice, Meg and Nate Pierce proceed cautiously towards unearthing the facts about the night that changed everything. What they find could prove to be as damaging as what they lost.
Beautifully written, brilliantly plotted, and intentionally populated with one of a kind characters, “Veiled in Smoke” proves that what is born from the ashes can transcend the original; to God be the glory.
“I am not afraid of the storms, for the One who made the sea is in my boat with me.”
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Once again Jocelyn Green has delivered a richly detailed historical that transports the reader to the setting of novel with her descriptive writing style. Each character in this story was trying to overcome a unique obstacle and yet they were all connected in a way because of the Chicago Fire. There were several character Points of View that were written in this book, however the transitions were smooth and I never got confused as to who was being featured. I was expecting the Chicago Fire to play a bigger part in this book than it actually did. The actual fire scene was gripping, detailed, and was so engrossing that I could imagine myself there. I thought Jocelyn Green did a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere, frenzy, and danger if those moments through the experiences of her characters. However, I felt like the majority of the book was focused on Stephen, the father, and his mental illness that he suffered as a result of his service in the war. It was probably my least favorite aspect of this book and unfortunately, it was the most prominent and reoccurring situation. There was minimal romance in this book, which honestly was probably more realistic to the situation that these characters found themselves dealing with. I would have preferred more romance, but I can totally understand why it isn’t there. What can I say, I’m greedy! My favorite character was Nate! He was a constant source of comfort and encouragement and I really enjoyed his kind, yet honest approach to situations. The mystery aspect was expertly crafted! I was guessing until the final chapters and the conclusion of the mystery ends in danger and a surprising twist! No spoilers here! While this plot wasn’t my particular favorite, I think that it was well written and held my interest until the conclusion. Mental illness isn’t my favorite topic, however I feel that the author tackled a hard character well and showcased the struggles and complexity of issues like Stephen had and how it affected his daily life and his family’s as well. If you are drawn to historicals that are deeper and filled with rich details, then Veiled In Smoke would be a great choice for you. Jocelyn Green is an expert at highlighting a point in time historically and bringing characters to life to experience that moment! *I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Filled with authentic historical detail and interspersed with literary references, this compelling novel explores the Great Fire of Chicago in a very personal and emotional way. The story combines the tragedy of the Great Fire with a very emotional element dealing with the traumatic after effects created by the Civil War for many people. Jocelyn Green is excellent at weaving the intricate storylines of each character into a beautiful story that explores each character as an individual as well as a part of a larger whole.
Step into this story and meet the Townsend family; Stephen, the father and a Civil War veteran; Sylvie, twenty-one with quite a good head for business; and Meg, twenty-three and the artistic one of the family. Keeping their book shop, Corner Books and More, open fills their days until the Great Fire. Prior to the fire each of the Townsends struggled with their own unique issues. After the fire they must contend with a changed way of life and all that it entails.
The Great Fire brings to light the many contrasts of life in a city filled with turmoil; the rich and the poor, the devastated ruins and the promise of reconstruction, as well as beauty and unsightliness. Stephen, Sylvie, and Meg must come to terms with an acceptance of life the way it is.
A well written historically detailed novel, this book will touch your emotions as well as keep you engaged from the beginning to the end. I learned some fascinating facts about the fire and its aftermath. The author’s notes are not to be missed at the end. They are a great follow up to the story providing additional information. Readers of historical fiction will not want to miss this book. This is book one of The Windy City Saga and I am already anxious to read book two.
This ARC copy was received from the author, Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#VeiledInSmoke #NetGalley
3.5/5
I struggled a bit with this one. While the story and writing were fine, I found it a bit too drawn out and thought it could have been tightened up.
The story takes place around the Great Fire of Chicago and has a two-pronged plot line, a murder mystery and one family’s struggle to keep their faith through the aftermath of the murder and fire. While the murder mystery was fairly transparent, I found the family’s struggles and interactions, while sometimes annoying and tiresome, also quite compelling and moving.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BethanyHouse for providing me with the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
A fascinating, suspenseful, engaging read set during the Great Fire in Chicago. Compelling characters, exciting and page-turning action with twists and turns and an excellent capture of the setting and individual problems of each main character. I felt like I knew and understood each of them. And the hope thread throughout was masterfully woven in. Kept me turning pages from beginning to end, and occupied my thoughts when I had to be torn away.
*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.